Certificate III in Aviation (Remote Pilot) – AVI30419

This course has been developed in partnership with Remote Aviation Australia and designed in line with the competencies developed by the Industry Skills Council. It is the highest qualification available for those wishing to enter the unmanned industry and begin operating drones for business purposes.

In addition to the vocational qualification, course participants will graduate with Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) industry licences – the Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) and Aeronautical Radio Operator’s Certificate (AROC).

These all basically mean the same thing. Drone is the term the general public knows and understands.

RPAS, or remotely piloted aircraft systems, is the official term for drones that has been adopted by CASA and used in Australia’s aviation legislation. RPAS includes the remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), remote pilot station, command and control data-link, and launch and retrieval systems.

UAS (unmanned aerial systems) and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) are also other terms used to describe RPA/drones. UAV was a common term used before the legislation changes in 2016. The term ‘unmanned aircraft’ refers to any pilotless aircraft, and in Australia’s legislation includes RPAS, free flight balloons and rockets.

This training provides extra flying that places the student in a number of workplace scenarios that go far beyond normal RePL training.

These scenarios will allow students to experience real-life job tasks under the guidance of our experienced unmanned pilots. The scenarios will take the student from initial flight and risk management planning, through to flying the task, and reviewing the quality of their work after landing.

We also introduce aerial photography and mapping techniques, which isn’t covered in a normal remote pilot course. There is also a strong focus on developing our student’s non-technical skills, such as communication, teamwork, decision making and situational awareness

No, the minimum qualification to work as a certified remote pilot is the Remote Pilot Licence (RePL). However, our Certificate III training provides extra flying that places students in workplace scenarios that go far beyond normal RePL training.

Our course goal is for graduates to be “job ready”. Students will obtain the necessary CASA industry licences, and through vocational training develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes to succeed in the unmanned aviation industry.

ReOC (RPA Operators Certificate) is the certification a business (including sole trader) or organisation requires. If you want to set up your own drone business, you will require a ReOC (for the business) and a RePL (for you – the pilot).

Aviation Australia with Remote Aviation Australia offers free consulting to any of our students wanting to apply to CASA for a ReOC.

No. Previous drone/RPAS flying experience is not required to undertake our course.

• Our instructors are industry leaders with thousands of hours of flying manned and unmanned aircraft.
• Flexible training options – because everyone learns differently and not everyone can attend a full-time training course.
• Providing excellent value training at a very competitive price with flexible payment options are also available.

Yes, Aviation Australia will issue the Certificate III, and Remote Aviation will issue the RePL and AROC through CASA.

An AROC is an aeronautical radio operators certificate. It is the qualification aviation professionals need to make aeronautical radio calls.

Obtaining your AROC is vital for any RPA operator serious about their career. For example, if an RePL holder does not have, as a minimum, an AROC, they cannot fly within 3nm of the movement area of the controlled aerodrome, no matter the height of the RPA.

You will also be restricted if you want to fly an RPA 2kg or heavier for commercial purposes at any height in controlled airspace (even if the rules normally allow you to fly below 400 feet in controlled airspace). Restrictions like this will limit the jobs you can complete and make you uncompetitive as an RPA pilot.

The theoretical content is aimed at a level of knowledge and comprehension of a person that has completed year 10. The minimum age we will accept on a course is 15.

Any person aged under 18 will also require the permission from a parent or guardian to attend.

If you have a Recreational Pilots Licence, all you need to do is complete practical RPA flying training and log five hours flying experience. Then send Form 101-01 off to CASA to process and they will issue you a remote pilot licence.

Aviation Australia and Remote Aviation Australia can complete your operational training using multirotor RPA. We also give you access to our online theory course.

You have the option to pay a deposit (minimum of $500.00) to secure your enrolment. Full payment must be made a minimum of 14 days prior to course commencement date.

Yes and no. All RePL training courses will provide you with the initial qualification to fly at night. However, you must also work for a ReOC holder that has been approved, under CASA exemption 103/16, to fly at night.

Therefore, a RePL course does not provide the pilot with the qualification to fly at night – the ReOC holder must train and assess its employees to do this.